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Can I drink milk before a urine test?

Published in Medical Testing 2 mins read

Yes, you can drink milk before a urine test, but only in moderation.

It's important to stay hydrated before providing a urine sample, but excessive fluid intake can dilute your urine and potentially affect the accuracy of the results. One or two extra glasses of fluid, which can include milk if your diet allows, should be sufficient on the day of the test.

Here's a breakdown:

  • Hydration is Key: Drinking enough fluids helps you provide an adequate urine sample.
  • Moderation Matters: Overhydration can dilute the sample and skew results.
  • Milk is Generally Okay: Including milk in your fluid intake is usually acceptable, as long as it fits within your dietary guidelines.
  • Specific Instructions Prevail: Always follow any specific instructions provided by your doctor or the testing facility. They may have specific guidelines regarding food and drink prior to the test. If they say not to drink milk, then abstain.

Why Moderation is Important

Drinking too much fluid, including milk, can:

  • Dilute the Sample: Make it harder to detect certain substances in your urine.
  • Affect Specific Gravity: Alter the specific gravity, which measures the concentration of particles in your urine.
  • Impact Test Accuracy: Potentially lead to inaccurate or inconclusive results, requiring a retest.

Recommendation

Unless specifically instructed otherwise by your doctor or the testing facility, one or two extra glasses of fluid, including milk, is fine. Ensure you are following all other pre-test instructions provided to you.

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